REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE . . . Buy Recycled Products!! As ecologically concerned consumers we have an obligation to first reduce the number of things we buy. Second, it is important to extend the life of each product in its original form. Third, we must recycle those products that we can no longer make use of. However, this is not the end. To complete the circle, we must then buy recycled products.

 

 

The United States generates approximately 208 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) a year. That's 4.3 pounds per person per day.

Source: "Recycling and Buy Recycling Fact Sheets", America Recycles Day

The average college student produces 640 pounds of solid waste each year, including 500 disposable cups and 320 pounds of paper.

Source: The Earth Work's Group Recycler's Handbook

 

Approximately 3.8 million tons of rubber tires (or 257 million scrap tires- about 1 tire per person in the United States) were generated in 1995.. Recovery: In 1995, approximately 17.5 percent of scrap tires were recycled, excluding retreads and tires combusted for energy.

Source: U.S. EPA 1996. Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: 1996 Update EPA530-R-97-015, Washington, D.C

   

Buying recycled reduces waste going to landfills

Buying recycled creates demand for recycled products

Recyclable materials will only stay out of landfills if they can be recycled into new products.

While some goods have traditionally been made with recycled content (such as steel and boxboard), many more products can be made with recycled content. In order to get manufacturers to produce recycled products, demand needs to be created for these goods.

 

If you aren't buying recycled,you aren't recycling

Buying recycled is good for the environment

It is not enough to collect recyclable materials. You must also purchase recycled products to close the loop on recycling. Something is not recycled until it is made into a new product and that new product is used.

 

In addition to reducing waste going to landfills, buying recycled saves natural resources, energy and water. When recyclable materials are made into new recycled products, less virgin natural resources such as trees, oil, and minerals are used. Energy is saved from not having to extract as many virgin materials. Also, often the manufacturing process for recycled content products requires less energy and water than non-recycled content products.

Don't be fooled - Many of the papers on the market which are labeled "RECYCLED" contain little or no post-consumer waste paper -- only wood chips and mill scraps. These papers do little to address environmental concerns. Paper made with high post-consumer content is the positive choice. Always check the package and try to purchase products labeled 100% post-consumer recycled.

 

Where to buy recycled products in Corvallis and surrounding communities

Linn-Benton Community College 630 7th Ave NW, Corvallis, 541-917-4302

Campus Copy Center, 1555 NW Monroe Ave, 752-0387
Offers copy service on tree free and 100% post-consumer recycled paper as well as selling a whole line of recycled office products

OSU Bookstore
Sells a few of recycled paper products although few are 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Right now they do not sell recycled computer disks although I have requested that they look into it

Paperworks 215 SW 2nd St, 750-9482
Handmade papers from recycled materials as well as recycled stationary and printing paper is available here

Grass Roots Books, Music & Espresso 227 SW 2nd St. 754-7668
Offers journals and greeting cards made from recycled and tree free materials

First Alternative 1007 SE 3rd 753-3115 http://www.firstalt.com
Sells Seventh Generation brand toilet paper and other household items

Fred Meyer, 777 Kings Blvd.
Has a natural products section with some alternative products including seventh generation products

OfficeMax, 1900 NW 9th St.
Sells Hewlett Packard Office Recycled paper

Peak Sports, 129 NW 2nd St. Corvallis, 541-754-6444, 800-427-6442 http://www.proaxis.com/~peak/
Sells Patagonia brand clothing made from organic cotton and recycled plastics

The Golden Crane, NW 3rd Street 753-7983
Sells hemp and organic cotton clothing as well as some recycled products and crafts

Second Glance 312 SW 3rd St. 753-8011
A second hand clothing store for women

*there are other several second hand clothing stores in and around Corvallis. All are listed in the yellow pages.

There is a growing number of building materials available with recycled content. On the web, check out the REDI Guide for a comprehensive list of building materials with recycled content, or click here: http://data.oikos.com/products/

Capital Products 135 N 13th St, Philomath, 929-5308
Carries some recycled materials

Lewisburg Auction and General Store 5830 NW Highway 99W, 745-5373
Local auctioneer with used goods

The Rebuilding Center 3625 N Mississippi, Portland, 503-331-1877
Reusable building materials recovered from wrecked buildings in the metropolitan area

The Environmental Building Center Portland, 503-222-3881
Environmentally friendly and recycled building products

 

Where to get recycled products on the web

The Recycle Store
http://www.recyclestore.com
paper and office products

Taylor's Recycled Plastics
http://taylorsrecycledplastic.on.ca/index.htm
recycled plastic products including outdoor furniture, plastic sheeting and plastic lumber

Recycled Plastics Inc
http://www.gipo-rpi.com/
the home of recycled plastic sheets and products

Tuff Tubs
http://www.tufftubs.com/index.htm
recycled plastic tubs

The Real Earth
http://www.treeco.com
recycled home and office products

The Recycled Trash Company
http://www.recycledtrashcompany.com/
apparel made from recycled cotton

Treecycle
http://www.treecycle.com
Providing a full range of the most environmentally sensitive paper products

Recycled Cycles
http://www.recycledcycles.com/index.html
America's Used Bike Shop

Green World
http://www.greenworld.com
recycled computer and office products including floppy disks, printers, toner and ink cartridges

Recycler's World
http://www.recycle.net
a world-wide trading site for info related to secondary or recyclable commodities, by-products, used and surplus items or materials.

Seventh Generation
http://www.seventhgen.com
Seventh Generation paper products, cleaning products, trash bags, and other environmentally friendly household items

The information for this page was compiled by Jen Cramer

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